GENERAL SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1933, 5 May 1880, Page 3

GENERAL SYNOD.

Tuesday, May 4,

The Synod resumed at three o’clock. The Bishop of Waiapn, by leave of the Synod, withdrew a motion standing in his name for conferring certain powers on Church Property Trustees. The Bishop of Wellington moved—“ That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend Statute No. 0, clause 24, for the purpose of excluding the words ‘ upon oath.’ ” Some discussion ensued, during which an opinion was expressed by legal members of the Synod that no difficulty would arise through leaving the words “ upon oath ” in the statute proposed to be amended. Tho motion was, therefore, withdrawn. The Bishop of Wellington moved—“ That this Synod desires to put on record its grateful appreciation of the hospitality and kindness shown to its members on their visit to this city, end also of the excellent arrangements made in connection with the various services and meetings held iu St. Michael’s Church and schoolroom.”

Mr Hunter Brown seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. On the motion of the Yen Archdeacon Stock, the Synod went into committee on Statute No. 4, to define tne word “ communicant.” A long discussion ensued, and a division was taken on Mr Eons Martin’s motion to define the term communicant, which was rejected, and progress was then reported without asking leave to ait again. Tho Bill to amend Statute No. 1 was recommitted, reported with amendment, and real a third time and passed. The following Bills wore read a third time and passed:—Bill to amend Statute No. 2; Bill to amend Statute No. 4. The Dean of Christchurch moved —“ That the Commission to make certain inquiries with reference to the age of admission do consist of the following members of the Synod :—The Most Eev. the Primate, tho Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelson, the Eev. Canon Cottorill, the Hon. J. B. Acland.” Seconded by the Bishop of Dunedin, and carried.

At this stage (5 451 tho Synod adjourned for the purpose of enabling the members to attend the special mission service to bo held at St. Luke’s Church.

On resuming at 8 30, The Bishop of Melanesia moved —“ That this Synod adopt tho principles of the Church of England Temperance Society.” A discussion ensued, daring which the Bishop of Dunedin proposed an amendment, to the effect “ That this Synod commends to the attention of the clergy and members of the Church generally the principles of tho Church of England Temperance Society.” This was accepted in lien of the original motion.

Mr Holloway moved a further amendment as follows: —“That this Synod again earnestly recommends the Diocesan Synods of this Ecclesiastical Province to take such stops as they may deem necessary for the fostering of the temperance movement, on principles similar to those adopted by the Church of England Temperance Society of Great Britain.”

The amendment was carried. Canon Cotterill moved—“ That Standicg Order No. 39 be suspended to enable a Bill for defining the qualification of parishioners and electors of Synodsmen and lay representatives to the General Synod, to be read a third time.” The motion was carried and the Bill read a third time and passed. The Eev Canon Cotterill moved —“That Standing Order No. 20 he suspended.” Such, he explained, being necessary to admit of the reception of motions of which notice had not been given and were incidental to the close of the session.”

Iho motion was carried, it being understood that the suspension of the order in this instance should apply only to unopposed motions. On the motion of the Eev. C. M. Nelson, it was resolved —“ That the thanks of the Synod be and are hereby tendered to the proprietors of the ‘Lyttelton Times’ and P rush for the reports of the meetings of this Synod furnished by them in those journal-.” The Bishop of Nelson moved—“ In reference to that portion of the President’s address respecting those members of the late General Synod who have been called to their rest since the last meeting, this Synod desires to place on record its estimate of their worth and service, and of the precious legacy of holy example and devotion which they have left to the Church. Those whose memories they desire to commemorate are the Eight Eev. George Augustus s elwyn, DD., Lord Bishop of Lichfield and first Bishop of New Zealand; the Eight Eev. William Wiliams, D.C.L., first Bishop of Waiapu ; the Rev. George Thomas Nowell Watkins, A.K.C., incumbent of Groymouth, diocese of Nelson; the Eev. Robert Simeon Jackson, of the diocese of Christchurch, of the Melanesian Mission, and formerly Secretary to the Primate ; Philip Hanmer, Esq., Chancellor of the diocese of Christchurch.” Seconded by Archie icon Clarke and carried. The Eev. S. William moved —“ That the thanks of this Synod be given to the Secretaries, the Rev. C. M. Nelson and J. H. Upton, Esq., for the unremitting attention which they have given to labours in connection with their offices.” In speaking to the motion ho paid a graceful compliment to the gentlemen named. Seconded by the Hon. H. B. Gresson, and carried by acc'amation. On the motion of the Eov. Mr Fancourt, it was resolved —“ That the thanks of the Synod be given to the Governors of Christ’s College for the use of the College Library.” Mr Collins seconded the motion, which was carried. The Eev. Canon Cotterill moved—" That the several dioceses be assessed for the expenses of this Synod to the extent of £lB5 10s.” After discussion, the following was substituted for Canon Cotterill’s motion, and carried “ That the dioceses be charged with the expenses on the basis of Church population.” On the motion of the Bishop of Nelson, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Maude for his efficient services as chairman of committees. A committee was appointed to superintend the printing of Synod reports, such committee consisting of the Most Kev. the Primate, the Dean of Christchurch, and the Eev. Canon Cotterill. The Eev. 0. M. Nelson moved, and it was agreed to —‘‘That the President of the Synod be requested to pay the sum of .£5 to the person who has acted as messenger and at tendant during this ses-ion of the iiynod.” The motion was seconded by the Bishop of Nelson, who spoke of the obliging and efficient manner in which the messenger had filled his office. The resolution was carried. Mr Malet moved —“ That the Commission appointed to promote a Bill for the incorporation of bodies of trustees, before taking any action to give effect to the resolution of the Synod, shall ascertain whether the authorities of the several dioceses are prepared to bear a proportionate share of the necessary expense incidental to carrying out the resolution of this Synod.” The motion was carried. A hearty vote of thanks was then passed to the Most Eev. the Primate for the zeal and '-curtesy with which he had discharged the duties of his office as President of the Synod. His Lordship in returning thanks, testified to the assistance he had received from members of the Synod in making his duty agreeable, and remarked that all the matters which had come before the Synod, some of them being of considerable importance, had received the most careful attention and con ideration at the hands of the numbers. In conclusion, His Lordship drew attention to the progress made with the Cathedral, and, after informing them, generally, of the intention to complete a portion of it for the purpose of holding services, said ho hoped members of that Synod, residing at a distance, would find it convenient to attend the opening service on the completion of the nave, of which due notice would bo convoyed to them. This concluded the business. The proceedings of the Synod were then closed by the whole of the members taking part in the Gloria in JE.vceUis, followed by the benediction.